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slancaster
Joined: 10 Nov 2005
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject: When is a Masters degree necessary or useful? Best program? |
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When is getting a Masters degree in EFL education necessary or even useful for EFL teachers and which online program is the best, in your opinion? I have an introductory TEFL certificate and several years teaching experience, including two years in Korea, but I'm wondering if attaining additional certificates or a Masters degree might be useful in Korea. Would it make a difference for University positions? How about teaching in Europe? Thanks. |
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laogaiguk

Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: When is a Masters degree necessary or useful? Best prog |
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slancaster wrote: |
When is getting a Masters degree in EFL education necessary or even useful for EFL teachers and which online program is the best, in your opinion? I have an introductory TEFL certificate and several years teaching experience, including two years in Korea, but I'm wondering if attaining additional certificates or a Masters degree might be useful in Korea. Would it make a difference for University positions? How about teaching in Europe? Thanks. |
How about getting one to become a better teacher? Or for personal development?
Anyway, it will help. But do realize there are tons of people with MAs out there too. It's more of a door opener. Your best bet for a distance MA is Birminham. It is the only one I know of that hasn't had any major complaints and comes from a good school. Don't go with Australian online degrees.
Certificates (even a CELTA or DELTA) don't make much of a difference here. They make a big difference in Europe. You basically need a EU passport though, and if you don't have one, I would suggest looking at Poland or the Czech Republic now, before they get more stingent immigration laws. No EU passport and your credentials, it is virtually impossible to work in Europe. To work at a European university, you are going to need a hell of a lot more than just an online MA. Those are real universities. Working in language institutes (which tend to be better and more professional than here) wouldn't be a problem. |
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Bibbitybop

Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:27 am Post subject: |
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1. An MA may get you more money and/or more bargaining power.
2. Working in the EU is difficult/impossible for Americans, but I hear other nationalities can get jobs. Where do you hail from? |
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PRagic

Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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It's getting to the point in Korea where having the MA really isn't doing you much good. Yes, you'll have a better shot at getting university jobs, but, then again, the university jobs are getting less and less desirable. Also, most universities are hiring BAs right along with MAs, and only paying a fraction of a difference in salary between the two.
However, if you plan on working somewhere else, it might have its benefits, especially if you wrapped a CELTA/DELTA around it. Another scenerio is that Korean universities eventually get their heads out of their collective arses and begin to up the academic credentials necessary for university employment. If that happens, then you would clearly benefit from having done the MA. |
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Keepongoing
Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea
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Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:29 am Post subject: i have |
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I have a 2 year residential MA TESOL from San Jose State University.
These, I do not believe, enhance your employment opportunities in Korea. In fact, when it comes to the University's budget, it may hinder.
I would not do it thinking it would make your more marketable. I would do it out of a desire for self-development and a keen interest in Linguistics, Language Structure, Second Language Acquisition and even a bit of pedagogy. |
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SuperHero

Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout
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Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:48 am Post subject: Re: i have |
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MASH4077 wrote: |
I have a 2 year residential MA TESOL from San Jose State University.
These, I do not believe, enhance your employment opportunities in Korea. In fact, when it comes to the University's budget, it may hinder.
I would not do it thinking it would make your more marketable. I would do it out of a desire for self-development and a keen interest in Linguistics, Language Structure, Second Language Acquisition and even a bit of pedagogy. |
Well said, but I know for a fact at a few universities if you do not have an M.A. you will not be considered. And at most universities it is something that will put you over the edge in comparison to a B.A. holder. |
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